USS Hornet Museum Ship, Alameda, CA Photos

The USS Hornet CV-12 (The Grey Ghost) (launched 1943 - decommissioned 1970) is docked at the former Alameda Naval Base where visitors can tour this aircraft carrier and view a fair collection of heritage naval aircraft. Many displays cover the role of the USS Hornet in space history as the carrier recovered Astronauts who splashed down at sea including those returning from the moon landings. There is also an emphasis on WW II hero Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle who led the first raid on Japan by launching B-25s from the decks of the previous USS Hornet, the sunken predecessor of the current ship. The carrier is a good place to view the San Francisco skyline and an array of transport ships.